Arsenal Takes Lead in Julian Alvarez Transfer Saga as Striker Skips Atletico Training

Julian Alvarez has not participated in Atletico Madrid training for two consecutive days after being informed privately that the club will not consider a transfer to Barcelona. According to sources, the Argentina international’s absence is attributed to illness, but it underscores the friction surrounding his future at the Metropolitano.

Atletico Madrid has doubled down on its position, issuing two official statements within a 24-hour period that firmly reject any negotiations with the Catalan club. In the first statement, the club declared there was a “0% chance” of selling Alvarez to Barcelona, followed by a second statement where the board unanimously reaffirmed their decision not to engage in discussions for the striker’s move to the La Liga rivals.

Despite the deadlock with Barcelona, Atletico is open to a sale to Arsenal and has already held direct talks with the Premier League champions. The club’s director, Mateu Alemany, was recently in London for discussions, where it was emphasized that Atletico would demand a transfer fee of approximately 150 million euros.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is highly motivated to secure Alvarez’s services, but the striker’s personal desire to join Barcelona has complicated the pursuit. Nevertheless, reports suggest that club-to-club conversations between Atletico and Arsenal have been positive, and a deal could progress rapidly if Alvarez agrees to the move.

With Atletico rejecting Barcelona’s advances and Arsenal positioned as the primary alternative, Alvarez’s path to an exit appears increasingly linked to the Emirates Stadium, should he choose to formalize the transition.

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